What's going on in Sanford and Seminole County, Fla.

The District restaurant on track to open by Valentine’s Day

You’ve seen the signs up at 112 W. 2nd Street proclaiming that “The District is coming Fall 2016.” So what is The District, and why isn’t it open?

The District is a restaurant venture by Brad Plummer and Anne McNamara. It will feature some locally source ingredients, though Brad is quick to say it will not be a farm-to-table restaurant.

“We’re going to use fresh ingredients and source locally as best possible, but we also want people to feel like they’re getting good value, too,” said Brad.

There will be some nice whiskies, vodkas and rums, as well as some craft beers..

“I wouldn’t classify us as a craft beer bar. We’ll carry good beers, but that’s not the niche we’re shooting for,” Brad added.

So when are they opening?

Brad wants to begin training staff in 2 to 3 weeks and be open by Valentine’s Day. Most of the delays have been centered on redoing the plumbing. At one point this fall, most of the concrete flooring had been removed to install new plumbing.

“I’m not a concrete guy,” said Brad, who has some 30 years in the restaurant industry. Before starting work on The District, he was the general manager at Liam Fitzpatrick’s in Heathrow.

“We’ve had some challenges, but there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.